Boeing A75N1(PT17) accident near Prue, Oklahoma, August 27, 2022
On August 27, 2022 at about 2:40 pm local time, a 1941 Boeing A75N1(PT17), registered N132JD, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Prue, Oklahoma. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during intentional low-level maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 2022 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Prue, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing A75N1(PT17), built 1941 · all A75N1(PT17)s on the register
- Registration
- N132JD · no longer on the register · serial 75-2812
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while maneuvering about 900 ft above ground level (agl), he reduced the engine throttle to 1,000 RPMs to begin a descent to 500 ft agl to overfly a lake. Shortly thereafter, the engine “sputtered”, and he began to troubleshoot the engine problem “all while looking for a place to land.” He then realized the engine issue could be carburetor ice. He reached for the carburetor heat handle, and the airplane impacted a power line. The airplane impacted the water and sustained substantial damage to the left wings and fuselage. The passenger reported that the airplane was “running completely fine the entire ride, we then began flying really low [and the pilot] said, ‘this is where I like to do some water dancing.’” The pilot continued to fly low over the water around the curves of the lake, and the engine continued to operate without an issue. While flying level, the passenger noticed the airplane was about the altitude of some power lines when the airplane impacted the power lines and then the water. A nearby boat assisted with their egress from the water. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data was consistent with the passenger’s recollection of the flight path and circumstances.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 26,358 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 20,000 as pilot in command; 287 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 24, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,015 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, June 1, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W-670-6N (piston); 11 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OK93 Collinsville OK at 2:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from KTUL, 19 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTUL 271453Z 17008KT 10SM FEW040 FEW250 29/21 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP134 T02890211 58002
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on October 13, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Passenger Statement | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Witness | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation - Law Enforcement Officer | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Accident Photograph | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | ADS-B Data | spreadsheet | Download |
| 7 | End of Flight Image | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.